MINUTES OF MEETING
December 2, 2009
Present: Chairman Frank Palange, Vice-Chairman, Aldo Bertera, Secretary Katie Harrington, Will Reichelt, and Alternate Jill Fortier.
Absent: Jose Irizarry
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
1. Public Hearings
7:00 p.m. – Eric Kaufman (Zoning Map Amendment) – Zoning Map amendment for the property located south of the MA Turnpike (I-90) and north of Brush Hill Avenue containing 1.74 acres of land from Residence A-1 (RA-1) to Special Use – Mobile Home (SU-H).
Mr. Kaufmann came forward and said he has owned mobile home park property with his father and brother since 1990. They currently own a number of mobile home communities throughout the area. They would like to put 8 to 12 homes in the newly acquired land. Currently, the mobile home development is a 55 and over community and this would help the town because there would be no school aged children added and it would help the tax revenue of the town. Originally this parcel was owned by a property owner located on Prospect Avenue, but the land was cut off and land locked with the construction of the Mass Pike.
Frank asked for questions from the Board and the audience.
Mr. Angus Rushlow, Councilor District #1, said he looked this over and it has a very clear cut purpose and he is in favor of the rezoning and the project.
Richard gave a history of the property to the Planning Board (see file). This piece of land is 100’ wide and 800’ in length and has no legal access. This area was rezoned from RA-1, RA-2 to SU-H, and Mobile Home Park in 1983. This project would be subject to a special permit by the Planning Board. If the zone change goes through, the expansion or additional units would require a hearing and decision by the Planning Board. They will need to submit engineered plans and documentation just like for the mobile home park.
Katie asked how they will access the new land? Mr. Kaufmann said John Drive could provide access. A cut through and road would go around and form a cul-de-sac at the back of the property. Mr. Kaufmann explained how the road would go in for the homes.
Aldo asked Richard if they will have enough access with frontage and side yard? Richard said he could not answer at this time because no engineered plans have been submitted for the zone change. This is just the first step before moving forward.
Katie moved to close the public hearing; Will second. UAV.
Katie moved to recommend the zone change from RA-1 to SU-H for the parcel of land described in the application; Will second. UAV.
2. Acceptance of Minutes
Katie moved to accept the minutes of October 21, 2009, as presented; Will second. UAV.
Katie moved to accept the minutes of November 18, 2009, as presented; Will second. Four in favor; Frank abstaining.
3. Action Items
a. Ordinance Amendments – Richard said he has been working with the Town Attorney updating the nonconforming structures and uses section and will meet with the Mayor to finalize. The amendment that will be forthcoming will overhaul what has been in the Zoning Ordinance since the 1920’s. This will give the Planning Board greater authority for nonconforming structures to be rebuilt and uses to be re-established if abandoned for more than two years.
b. Subdivision Regulations – Richard said the updated standards would be coming soon.
4. New/Old Business
a. Site Plan Review – No new business.
b. Subdivision Review – No new business.
c. Board of Appeals – The next meeting would be held on Monday, December 28, 2009. Richard reviewed the agenda for the December meeting of the ZBA.
d. Other Business – Richard said there is an Ethic’s/Conflict of Interest Meeting on Wednesday, December 9, 2009, and asked for all to attend.
5. Date of Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board will be held on Wednesday,
December 16, 2009.
6. Adjournment
Katie moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 p.m.; Will second. UAV.
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Katie Harrington, Secretary
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